FAIRTRADE FUN FOR CO-OP SHOPPERS

Staff at Lincolnshire Co-op will be going bananas for Fairtrade Fortnight (24th February – 9th March) with in-store activities and deals for shoppers.

On Saturday 1st March between 10am and 2pm all Lincolnshire Co-op Food Stores will host a 'keep Faitrade rolling' dice game. Customers will be able to play for free by rolling dice in a bid to win Fairtrade goodies.

Each store will also be giving shoppers a taste of ethical goods with samples of products like brownies and chocolate.

Children can take part in a treasure hunt around the store and staff will be giving out balloons and stickers.

As well as activities there will be special offers and promotions on all Fairtrade products from 24th February to 11th March and dividend card holders can enjoy a member exclusive of 10x dividend on all Fairtrade goods.

During Fairtrade Fortnight Lincolnshire Co-op is holding three wine tasting events. People can come along to sample a selection of wines and learn how buying Fairtrade ensures producers in developing countries get a fair deal. (See notes to editors for event and ticket details).

In Boston and Newark the group will be joined by wine expert Peter Adams from the Lincoln Wine Society.

In Lincoln, Luisa Bordon, a headteacher from Argentina will be attending. Her school was built with the Fairtrade premium so people will be able to hear first-hand the difference Fairtrade makes. The Fairtrade Premium is an additional sum of money, paid on top of the Fairtrade minimum price, that farmers and workers invest in developmental projects to improve their businesses and communities.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Member Engagement Manager Richard Whittaker said: “At Lincolnshire Co-op we’re big supporters of Fairtrade and Fairtrade Fortnight is a great chance to tell our customers about the benefits of ethical shopping. It’s also a good excuse to have some fun!

“With some enjoyable activities and offers on Fairtrade products, as well as 10x dividend for our members, it’s the perfect time for people to try buying Fairtrade.”

This year the Fairtrade Foundation is campaigning to make bananas fair by encouraging supermarkets to pay a fair price for them – all of the bananas sold in Lincolnshire Co-op food stores are Fairtrade. This means that every banana farmer and worker earns enough to have a decent standard of living, works in conditions that are safe and has rights and benefits.

www.lincolnshire.coop